Sitting in the DRMC SUV I watch them like a total creep as they move around their little home, warm light illuminating them from behind as they excitedly set the table in the dining room. They look so happy. Gone are the two people I met that night, all curled into themselves, eyes darting at danger all around them. It feels like such a long time ago and yet it really isn't. It’s not enough time to heal from the horrors they’ve lived through, nor is it enough time to move forward with someone like me, even if that’s what I want down to my bones. If all I can have is these little snippets where I build a friendship with an amazing woman and her little girl then that’s enough. It has to be.
Opening the door I swipe the pizza off the seat and slide my bulk out of the car. Slamming the door shut behind me has Joyand Kit’s heads snapping in my direction. For a moment there I think I’ve startled them and like scared little rabbits they’ll flee deeper inside their little home. Instead both their shoulders relax and smiles tug at their lips as Kit waves excitedly.
Movement at the corner of my eye has me spinning on a growl only to freeze when recognition hits me.
“Mad Dog? What the fuck are you doing over there?” I jerk my chin at where he stands stock still on the other side of the small fence that separates Joy’s place from Willa’s. “Are you visiting Willa?”
“Um, no?” Mad Dog says, before his brows pull down. “You didn’t see shit!”
“Embarassed, are ya?” a feminine voice calls.
My gaze meets Willa’s amused expression as she stands on her front porch, one leg crossed over the other, her arms crossed over her chest, hair loose in a flowy gown thing.
“What? No!” Mad Dog says, spinning to look at Willa before turning back to me. “Brother, just, keep this under your hat. I don’t need fucking Pops on my case.”
A smirk tugs at my lips as I pretend to zip them shut and continue my walk up Joy’s path, nodding at Willa on my way past. “Ma’am.”
“Doctor,” she replies with a wink before turning her amused glance back to Mad Dog. “So, who’s this ‘Pops’ guy? Is he someone I should meet?”
I laugh out loud at Mad Dog’s growl as I knock gently on Joy’s door and then listen to the rumble of little feet as they make their way closer and closer.
I can hear murmuring coming from the other side before a little voice calls, “Who is it?”
“It’s the BGG, the Big Ginger Giant,” I tease and my lips lift at Kit’s giggle.
The door is flung open and I’m met with pretty smiles from Joy and Kit, my chest aching a little at the sight.
“Well, hey there pretty ladies! I heard someone ordered pizza.”
“It was me!” Kit says bouncing in place.
“Well that’s good because I got this weird sounding pizza that has pineapple on it and I think it might be yours?”
“It’s my favorite!” Kit says dancing around in the hall before shyly reaching for my hand. When I gently grip her tiny fingers in mine she grins and leads me to the dining room.
“Whoa, you’ve done a lot of unpacking, this place looks good, babe,” I praise.
Itdoeslook good. The little tchotchkes are placed around her home, showing little flashes of personality that I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing just yet. It’s homely and sweet and quite a lot more quirky than I would have imagined.
I pluck a cute little duck off the shelf and realize it’s a salt and pepper shaker, its mate sitting on the shelf still. Looking closer I notice little pairs of salt and pepper shakers dotted around. Some are the usual you’d expect, others, like the ducks, are cartoony and fun.
“Oh, um, I like salt and pepper shakers,” Joy murmurs, her cheeks flushing bright pink.
“I like them too,” I smile back. It’s not a lie, I just never knew I liked them until I saw them here.
“Let's eat pizza!” Kit whisper yells, eyes wide as she picks up her piece, watching the cheese stretch.
“Yes, let's eat.” Joy gestures for me to sit and I do.
“So, what did Chewy mean when she said ‘regular’ -” my eyes dart to Kit before I clear my throat, “ah, ‘regular unalive’,” I ask Joy who chokes on her pizza before giggling.
“Chewy gave us a whole lecture on how to avoid that happening. I just have to be not attractive, straight or polite and I should be safe.” She snorts before taking a big bite of pizza.
I stare at her, her lips glossy with cheese grease, her eyes closed as she moans around her mouthful. I’m going to die from blood loss to the brain. All of it has flooded my dick. Clearing my throat I adjust myself under the table and instead think of all the gross shit Chewy has done to people in the Rev Room. The mental image of that Renae woman exploding has my cock deflating in record time.
“Chewy is so funny,” Joy says, after swallowing her mouthful.
I snort. “Yeah, she’s something alright.”
